WIGGENS WHT-450 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Chamber

Overview

The WIGGENS WHT-450 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Chamber is an upright, precision-engineered environmental test chamber designed for stable, long-term simulation of defined thermal and hygrometric conditions. Based on a dual-loop PID control architecture, it integrates independent refrigeration and heating systems with forced-air convection to achieve rapid thermal response and high spatial uniformity across its 450 L stainless steel working chamber. The chamber employs jacketed air-circulation design—where conditioned air flows uniformly through perforated ducts surrounding the inner cavity—to minimize vertical and horizontal gradients. Its operational envelope spans +4 to +60 °C temperature and 10–85 %RH humidity (within the 25–55 °C temperature band), meeting critical requirements for stability testing per ICH Q1A(R2), accelerated aging per ASTM D4332, and material conditioning per ISO 291. Designed and assembled in Germany, the WHT-450 conforms to EN 61000-6-3 (EMC) and EN 61000-6-2 (immunity), ensuring robust performance in regulated laboratory and quality control environments.

Key Features

• Independent dual-loop PID control for simultaneous, decoupled regulation of temperature and relative humidity
• Jacketed air-circulation system with tangential blower and multi-directional airflow distribution for < ±1.0 °C temperature uniformity and < ±3 %RH humidity uniformity
• Digital setpoint resolution of 0.1 °C and 1 %RH, with real-time display and programmable ramp/soak profiles
• Compressor-based refrigeration combined with 1400 W PTC heating for fast recovery after door opening or load changes
• Integrated safety architecture: overtemperature cut-off, overcurrent protection, door-open interlock (fan/heater shutdown + visual alarm), and optional auto-restart (Autostart) with user-selectable resume/abort behavior after power interruption
• Electrostatically coated cold-rolled steel exterior with CFC-free polyurethane insulation; interior constructed from seamless AISI 304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance and cleanability
• Modular shelf system: two adjustable shelves included (up to nine configurable), each rated for 30 kg static load
• Equipped with lockable casters for flexible placement and alignment in GMP-compliant lab layouts

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The WHT-450 accommodates diverse sample types—including polymer specimens, electronic components, pharmaceutical packaging, textile swatches, food samples, and metal coupons—without risk of cross-contamination or outgassing. Its 304 stainless steel chamber, absence of volatile organic insulating materials, and sealed condensate management system ensure compliance with ISO 14644-1 Class 8 (cleanroom-compatible operation) and USP environmental conditioning requirements. Humidity control utilizes evaporation/re-condensation technology with automatic water replenishment, eliminating manual refilling during extended tests. The unit supports audit-ready operation under GLP and GMP frameworks via optional data logging and electronic signature modules compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when integrated with validated third-party software platforms.

Software & Data Management

The chamber includes native RS232 and RS485 serial interfaces supporting Modbus RTU protocol for bidirectional communication with LIMS, SCADA, or centralized environmental monitoring systems (EMS). Optional WIGGENS Connect software enables remote parameter configuration, real-time graphing of chamber variables, alarm event logging with timestamps, and export of CSV-formatted datasets traceable to NIST-traceable reference standards. All logged data include operator ID, session start/stop times, deviation flags, and hardware status codes—meeting documentation rigor required for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and internal quality audits.

Applications

• Accelerated stability testing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices per ICH guidelines
• Conditioning of composite materials prior to tensile, impact, or adhesion testing (ASTM D618, ISO 291)
• Environmental stress screening of PCB assemblies and embedded electronics (MIL-STD-810, JEDEC JESD22-A117)
• Moisture absorption/desorption kinetics studies for hygroscopic polymers and packaging films
• Shelf-life modeling of perishable foods and agricultural products under controlled RH gradients
• Calibration verification of hygrometers and thermometers using stable, homogeneous reference environments

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for continuous operation?
The WHT-450 requires an ambient operating environment between 10 and 35 °C, with ≤ 80 %RH non-condensing. Operation outside this range may compromise cooling capacity and humidity control accuracy.
Can the chamber maintain 10 %RH at 60 °C?
No. The specified humidity range of 10–85 %RH is valid only within the temperature band of 25–55 °C. At 60 °C, minimum achievable humidity is approximately 20 %RH due to thermodynamic constraints of the evaporation/re-condensation system.
Is the RS485 interface compatible with Modbus TCP networks?
The native interface is RS485 Modbus RTU. Integration into Modbus TCP networks requires an external protocol converter or gateway device certified for industrial automation use.
Does the unit include validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ protocols)?
Factory-supplied documentation includes calibration certificates for temperature and humidity sensors (traceable to DAkkS-accredited labs) and electrical safety test reports. Full IQ/OQ/PQ protocols are available as optional engineering services upon order.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Monthly inspection of door gasket integrity and condensate drain path; biannual cleaning of evaporator coils and air filter; annual recalibration of temperature/humidity sensors by an accredited service provider.